Jeff McGlynn was born and raised in Southern California. There, he lived with his parents and two brothers. He graduated from University of California Irvine in 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science before accepting a position as a Software Engineer at Microsoft. Jeff’s new career took him all the way to Washington State, where he would later meet the love of his life. Jeff became accustomed to life in his new city. He joined a local gym, got a new car, made new friends, and even purchased a home in Seattle a couple years later. But something was missing. So Jeff decided to join online dating sites, hoping to find someone to share his time with. After a few dates, Jeff started chatting with a 22-year-old college student named Aubrey. This is where their story begins.
Aubrey Scarborough grew up in the Seattle area. Aubrey had always loved working with kids, so after high school she became a nanny and attended Western Washington University to become an elementary teacher. In 2014, Aubrey had about one year of her program left. She lived with her mom and her dog Bella at the time. In her free time, she enjoyed baking and cooking. At the time, Aubrey was very busy with work and school, but still wanted to meet new people. So she decided to try online dating. It was there that she met the man she would agree to spend the rest of her life with. This is where their story begins.
Jeff reached out to Aubrey initially. But it wasn’t the typical “Hi, how are you?” greeting. Jeff creatively made up a game and told Aubrey that each person would guess a detail about each other and see if they were right. Aubrey’s first guess was about Jeff’s profession. She guessed construction worker, which was wrong. This went on until Jeff finally worked up the courage to ask her out on a date. Their first date was at a local pizza restaurant called Serious Pie. A couple of weeks later Aubrey and Jeff visited the Boeing Museum Flight Tour, where the eccentric tour guide became the focal point during the date. It wasn’t until Jeff invited Aubrey over to watch videos at his place that the couple finally had an opportunity to get to know each other in a relaxed environment. She visited his house three more times before Jeff finally kissed her. After a few more dates, Jeff invited Aubrey to a work party. In the car, before going in, he asked if he could introduce her as his girlfriend. She said yes and a new relationship was born.
During their time dating, Jeff and Aubrey shared many memories. Jeff cheered Aubrey on as she finished her degree and became a 4th grade teacher. They became gym partners and would plan and prepare meals together. They moved in together in February 2016. They had many adventures to local events and shows. They traveled to Leavenworth and other parts of Eastern Washington to visit family and get away for the day, to Rainier, WA to feed sloths, to Westport, WA to visit the beach, to Bend, OR for the 4th of July, to Los Angeles, CA to visit his family, and they planned a trip to Kauai, HI for the summer of 2016. This is where Jeff asked the question that would forever change both of their lives.
Jeff and Aubrey packed their bags for Kauai, HI in July of 2016. Aubrey had been to Oahu, HI once while babysitting for a family. Jeff had never been to the islands. They fell in love with the island as soon as they arrived. It was their first big vacation together. For both of them it was also their first big vacation without family. They spent the first few days exploring the island. They went zip-lining over parts of the lush jungle, swam in the warm ocean, and celebrated Aubrey’s 24th birthday at an amazing local restaurant. On Aubrey’s birthday, she asked Jeff if he got her a birthday present. He told her that her birthday present was a couple’s photoshoot on the beach a few days later with a professional photographer. This was something she had wanted to do for a while on the Mainland. She was so excited to have the opportunity to do it in a place with such stunning scenery.
The day of the photo shoot finally rolled around. After coordinating outfits and trying to get ready despite the humidity and heat, the couple took off for Hideaways Beach. There they met the photographer. As they walked down the path, they shared the story of how they met. As they arrived at the beach, they were in awe of the natural beauty. The sand was coarse and large black rocks lined the shore, set against the piercing blue of the Hawaiian waters. The beach backed up to lush green trees with huge leaves.
The three of them walked down the beach while stopping to take pictures. The photographer pointed to a spot of sand between two of the big black rocks. Jeff and Aubrey stood between the rocks taking a few pictures. Aubrey’s hand was on Jeff’s heart in one of the photos and she could feel his heart beating faster than normal. Thinking it was due to walking in the sand, she turned to ask Jeff why it was beating so fast. He shrugged and said he didn’t know why. A few moments later, he pulled a ring out of his pocket. He got down on one knee and popped the question. Completely surprised, Aubrey finally managed to answer. She said yes of course (or you wouldn’t be here reading this story).
After a few more pictures in the glow of the Hawaiian sunset, the photographer congratulated the couple and went on his way. Aubrey and Jeff chose to stay behind and spend some more time on this magical beach. When they finally decided to leave, they began up the same path they had come down, this time as an engaged couple. They spent the rest of their time on the island in bliss. Between a rafting tour through an old sugar cane plantation’s irrigation system, taking a helicopter ride over the entire island, and just spending time together on the beach or at the pool, the couple enjoyed every last bit of their romantic vacation.
Jeff and Aubrey feel so blessed to be able to return to this incredible island to seal their hearts together in marriage, and they are so grateful for the support of their friends and family who will be there to witness their union. Thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged us along the way. We can’t wait to spend time with you on an island that will forever have such a special place in our hearts. We love you.
Love,
The Future Mr. and Mrs. McGlynn